I had an ultrasound one month ago because I was experiencing a new pain in my right lower abdomen for three weeks each month.

In October [I had a stressful month] I developed a pain on my right lower abdomen side
that would keep me awake at night and would last about three weeks and go away during my period?
This has continued up until now.
This last cycle I did not have any breakthrough bleeding but the month before I had it.
I had a pelvic ultrasound very end of January.

The results are in:

Good news is my Fibroid has stayed the same size as my last ultrasound two years ago.
It is 6.5x7cm
The bad news is I have a new
“Lobulated 6.3×3.9cm non-vascular lesion with homogeneous low level echoes- suggestive of a endrometrioma.
also
Complex cyst mass deep in the suspected endrometrioma measuring 7.5×4.2cm which may relate to a hydrosalpinx [I have a tubiligation on that side?]
A complex cystic ovarian mass cannot be excluded however is less favored.”

I am waiting to get an appointment with my gynecologist and to get an MRI.

Sounds to me that I have an endometriosis lesion and lots of fluid in a blocked fallopian tube?

I only have my left ovary and tube and really do not want to lose my last ovary.

I was wondering if the bio identical progesterone could have contributed to this development?
I am considering doing this cylce without to see what happens?

My family DR. who wrote my prescription for the bio identical progesterone cream moved away suddenly a few months ago,
so have the other DR. that was sharing her office, I don’t know yet if she will write me a new prescription when mine runs out, and I know that
the gynecologist will not because I have discussed that with him in the past?

I was off my paleo diet plan when on holidays and am now back on, although I am not doing the autoimmune version, I have read that endo could be an autoimmune disease as well, I would not be surprised.

I also read that alot of people with endo are celliac, so am really going to avoid any gluten. I am also weaning off of coffee…

Meats: including beef, chicken, fish, lamb, turkey. Fish should be ocean caught with low mercury content. Swordfish, most tuna, and king mackerel are very high in mercury. Select hormone-free and antibiotic-free chicken, turkey and lamb. Select beef that is grass fed, hormone free, and antibiotic free.

The condition known as leaky gut syndrome (intestinal hyper-permeability and dietary leukocytosis ) is characterized by a breakdown of the integrity of the cells lining the interior of the small intestines allowing large food molecules to enter the systemic circulation and provoking immune responses when various foods are ingested. This syndrome is responsible for many seemingly unrelated illnesses such as so called food allergies, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, elevation of body temperature after eating, joint and soft tissue pain, stuffy sinuses and brain fog. Some individuals exhibit many or all of these symptoms, others exhibit one or several and those in the more advanced stages, exhibit far more symptoms than those listed here. It is the job of the enterocytes (cells that line the interior of the small intestine) to allow only digested food molecules of a very small size to be absorbed into the systemic circulation and to reject larger and perhaps only partially digested particles so that they may pass out of the system as waste.
When after years of faulty nutrition, often compounded by the destructive impact of yeast overgrowth these cells ( enterocytes ) begin to perform inadequately, many undesirable large food molecules gain entrance into the blood stream, provoking an immune response that requires an elevation in white blood cells ( dietary leukocytosis ). This taxes the immune system which now has to busy itself with cleaning up the undesirable invaders every time one eats, rather than being free to perform its normal protective functions. To make matters worse, many of these food macro molecules once in the blood, can trigger allergic reactions or impregnate themselves into healthy tissues (often in the joints) setting up the pre-conditions for arthritis later in life or causing flare-ups in already existing rheumatoid arthritic or other auto-immune conditions.
L-Glutamine, an amino acid supplement, is the most ideal nutrient for the regeneration of the enterocytes.

Interestingly enough, these enterocytes are the only cells in the body that do not derive their nutrients from the blood plasma, but rather ingest nutrients directly from the predigested food passing through the intestines. Therefore, if one’s diet is rich in L-Glutamine, the intestinal cells can absorb it directly, thereby helping themselves to return to normal functional capacity and a return of the gut lining’s integrity. It may take several months of daily L-Glutamine supplementation to heal a hyper-permeable intestine, but with good diet and a few other co-factors some results will be noticeable within a few weeks. Many of our patients have also reported that regular use of L-Glutamine has helped them to control their cravings for sweets and starches.
For best results, yeast overgrowth must be addressed, wheat gluten must be avoided and comprehensive essential fatty acid supplementation should be undertaken.l

Each Capsule contains 500 mg L-Glutamine

SUGGESTED USE: Capsules, 2-3 capsules, 2 to 3 times daily, best taken an hour before meals.
Powder, 1/2 to 2 teaspoons, taken 2-3 times daily, best taken an hour before meals.

This amino acid has grown increasingly popular as more and more is understood about its numerous functions in the body.

Due to its ability to cross the blood brain barrier,L-glutamine is a wonderful way of providing glutamic acid to the brain. Many people think that, like other amino acids, this provides more neurotransmitters to the brain, but this is not the case. Actually, L-glutamine provides the glutamic acid that the brain uses as fuel (the only other substance the brain uses for fuel is glucose). Glutamic acid has the ability to pick up ammonia molecules in the body and convert them to glutamine. A shortage of glutamic acid, therefore, can produce brain damage due to excess ammonia or can produce that “I can’t get my brain going” effect.

This amazing amino acid provides the nitrogen that is necessary for proper lymphocyte function making it an important supplement for those individuals with immune issues.

Glutamine can block cravings for alcohol as well as sugar. This key benefit can be used in individuals as a diet aid. Taking one capsule or one quarter teaspoonful of L-glutamine at the onset of sugar or alcohol cravings has been shown to deter these feelings. This may not work in all individuals, but the non-toxic nature of this harmless food additive and the many other benefits that can be derived from this supplement make it worth trying.

L-Glutamine, the ‘L’ referring to a particular property of the amino acid, can be an amazing aid in healing stomach ulcers, stopping diarrhea, repairing a “leaky gut”, and helping the body repair its cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Glutamine is the only amino acid containing two amine groups. This enables glutamine to “give up“ one of these amine groups to combine with glucose to make: n-acetyl-glucosamine—necessary for repairing intestinal lining; and acetyl-d-glucosamine—responsible for healing cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. This same property makes it the primary energy fuel for the small intestine and therefore increases immune function of the stomach.

The energy properties of L-glutamine make it an important part of any nutritional protocol where maximizing absorption, energy, and recovery are essential. Most athletes will find its use yields major benefits, especially in recovery and in increasing lean body mass while minimizing body fat.

Repairing a “leaky gut” often categorized by diarrhea, flatulence or bloating:
The dose here will vary from person to person, but I have found that in some cases it may require as much as 30 grams a day. I suggest using only powdered L- glutamine for this, due to the high doses necessary to achieve these benefits.Best taken an hour before meals.
Week One: One quarter (1/4) teaspoonful (approx. 1000mg) three times a day
Week Two: One half (1/2) teaspoonful (2000mg) three times a day
Week Three: Three-fourths (3/4) teaspoonful (3000mg) three times a day
Week Four: One teaspoonful (4000mg) three times a day.

“Leaky Gut Results…Shocking!

by Glen Depke

The 30 day leaky gut/immune boosting protocol is now complete and I wanted to share what transpired over the last 30 days and more importantly, what are my results.

Since your eyes will gravitate toward the pictures on this page, I will share that one of the results of the last 30 days was a 20 pound weight loss. You can see by the before and after pictures (yes, this is me) that I had was in need of some weight loss. The interesting fact though, is that I had zero restriction on the quantity of food I ate during this time. To be honest with you, I felt that I actually ate more than I would typically and still lost 20 pounds.

The 20 pound weight loss is the bonus though. I will share the highlight of hitting a new level of health that I did not even know existed. I am averaging at least one hour less of sleep per night. When I wake up I almost feel a buzz within me and I cannot wait to get out of bed in the morning. My energy is high all day and I had zero need for anything to stimulate energy through my day. Really, what can I say, this is amazing!

So what did I do over the last 30 days?

It starts with the meal plan and goes from there. The meal plan itself is restricted to flesh proteins, all vegetables except night shades, some fruit and fat sources of any form of coconut, olives or avocados. I thought this would be a bit difficult at first but I quickly found many new food choices that kept me more than satisfied. For my clients that are following this protocol, I am supplying a meal chart and seven days worth of meal ideas as well as some recipes to make the nutritional aspect much easier.

I want you to understand that you will eliminate ALL potentially inflammatory foods from you diet for these thirty days. No caffeine, alcohol, sugar, grains, rice, nuts, most seeds, night shades, eggs, dairy, and soy. I know what you may be thinking, “I can’t eliminate all these.” I had the same thought, but as mentioned above, you will recognize new food choices that are more than satisfying. My wife came up with and awesome coffee replacement, a client of mine came up with a custard replacement and I modified my wife’s coffee replacement and made an awesome shake out of it. Very exciting!

From the supplement aspect for leaky gut I was taking L-glutamine, deglycerhizinated licorice root and aloe extract, along with GI Synergy which is an anti parasitic, anti yeast and anti fungal combination. To support the leaky gut supplements mentioned above I followed an immune boosting protocol that included two supplements called Nitric Balance and Glutathione Recycler.

I was also exercising but this was minimal. I have been running in 10 minute intervals three or four times per week. I have been doing some anaerobic exercises for 10 minutes three times per week and trained once per week for 45 minutes. My schedule does not allow for a significant amount of exercise so I had to find what works in small time frames. This can work for almost anyone.

So now that I am at the end of 30 days, what do I do? Well, I am adding in the restricted foods one at a time while maintaining an awareness of what does and does not work for me. If I add a food that creates some negative results for me, I will either eliminate this from my nutritional choices or I will only eat this on rare occasions.

Since I am human and may at times make a choice that is not best for me. If this does happen and I make the choice to consume anything that could potentially be a mechanism for leaky gut I will take the combo of L-glutamine, deglycerhizinated licorice root and aloe extract for three days to be sure to keep my gut healthy.

Reducing inflammation: Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury. However, excessive inflammation retards the healing process. Proteolytic enzymes reduce inflammation by neutralizing the biochemicals of inflammation (i.e., bradykinins and pro-inflammatory eicosanoids) to levels at which the synthesis, repair and regeneration of injured tissues can take place.1 Reducing inflammation can have immediate impact on improved heart health, cancer prevention and recovery, and Alzheimer’s prevention. It also helps speed up recovery from sprains, strains, fractures, bruises, contusions, surgery and arthritis. In one study, football players who suffered from ankle injuries found that proteolytic enzyme supplements accelerated healing and got the players back on the field 50 percent faster than athletes who received placebo tablets.2 Other trials have shown that supplemental proteolytic enzymes can help reduce inflammation, speed healing of bruises and other tissue injuries (including fractures), and reduce overall recovery time when compared to athletes taking a placebo.3,4 And even in patients recovering from facial and various reconstructive surgeries, treatment with proteolytic enzymes significantly reduced swelling, bruising and stiffness compared to placebo groups.5,6,7

Cleansing the blood of debris: Proteolytic enzymes are the primary tools the body uses to “digest” organic debris in the circulatory and lymph systems. Supplementing merely improves the effectiveness of the process.

Dissolving fibrin in the blood, reducing the risk of clots: Certain specialized proteases such as nattokinase are extremely effective at improving the “quality” of blood cells, optimizing the ability of blood to flow through the circulatory system, and reducing the risk of clots.8 This is extremely important in reducing the risk of stroke. It also makes using proteolytic enzymes during long plane flights a no-brainer, as they minimize the potential of blood clots in the legs.

Maximized immune system: The primary vehicle the immune system uses for destroying invaders is enzymes. Macrophages, for example, literally digest invaders with proteolytic enzymes. Supplementation significantly improves the ability of your immune system to do its job.

Killing of bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi: Bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi are protein/ amino acid-based. Proteolytic enzymes taken between meals literally go into the bloodstream and digest these invaders.

Elimination of autoimmune diseases: In Lessons from the Miracle Doctors, I cover in detail the process whereby large undigested proteins make their way into the bloodstream and form circulating immune complexes (CICs), which trigger allergies and autoimmune diseases. Supplemental proteolytic enzymes clean CICs out of the body, thereby reducing allergies and autoimmune conditions. In addition, this helps with sinusitis and asthma.

Dissolving of scar tissue: Scar tissue is made of protein. Proteolytic enzymes can effectively “digest” scar tissue – particularly in the circulatory system.

And finally, a properly designed supplemental proteolytic enzyme formula can help reduce the symptoms of MS, clean out the lungs9 and aid in detoxing.

I am trying out Zymactive – is a unique enzyme complex that is more than twice as potent in protein digesting activity as the leading brand. PeptizymeSP (Serratia Peptidase), a proprietary enzyme referred to as the silk worm enzyme has a more powerful and broader pH stability than chymotrypsin and trypsin. It has been used in Europe and Japan for more than 25 years for inflammation, post-surgical swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome, and ear, nose, and throat disorders, with good clinical research behind it.

The serrapeptase enzyme is thought to relieve inflammation and dead tissue that causes pain, blocked arteries, varicose veins and other common symptoms. Serrapeptase is a special enzyme produced by bacteria that live in the gut of the silkworm. This enzyme has the unique ability to digest proteins that are dead and matter that is non-living, while leaving living tissues unharmed and unaffected. Serrapeptase promotes cardiovascular health, healthy circulation and blood flow. Decreased inflammation also means the body can start to heal itself sooner, lending to recovery and tissue repair.

Serrapeptase is an enzyme derived from silkworm intestines first used in Europe and Asia. Its use became more common in the United States in the mid-1990s. The enzyme is thought to help ease inflammation and pain when taken several times a day. Serrapeptase works by targeting “dead” material in the body–including things like scar tissue and fibroids (benign tumors that usually appear in a women’s uterus). The fibroid cells expand until the tumor becomes a rubbery mass. Serrapeptase attacks those masses by breaking down the cells that cause the fibroids to grow.

I have mid cycle pain every month and it starts right after my period ends on through ovulation, for about two weeks. It used to be only three days around ovulation which used to happen one week after my period. Now I ovulate on day 14, using bio-identical progesterone cream and this mid cycle pain has become worse in duration and intensity. I have only my right ovary and the pain is on my lower right side and goes into my hip and down my leg. I have a fibroid, I also have extensive scar tissue on all my organs freezing things together from have Endometriosis 22 years ago. I had an ovarian cyst on my left side and had it removed 8 years ago. I am trying to quit or decrease my usage of NSAIDS because of leaky gut and autoimmune diseases.

Could this be caused by my bio-identical progesterone? Benefits I have experienced going on bio-identical progesterone are no more breakthrough bleeding the week before my period, my menstrual cramps are less intense and respond better to the NSAIDS. My breasts are less lumpy.

“Most cysts that develop in women in the reproductive age are a function of their “working” ovaries. We start puberty with about 400,000 egg-producing follicles in our ovaries. Each month hundreds of these follicles attempt to develop, fail to do so and (sadly) die. Only one (rarely several) succeeds in it’s developmental effort and continues the process that allows it to produce a mature egg. It enlarges, produces estrogen and secretes fluid that surrounds the egg, then breaks open and releases the egg into the fallopian tube during ovulation. Once its egg is extruded, the follicle continues to function for the next two weeks as a corpus luteum secreting both estrogen and progesterone; hormones that prepare the uterine lining to receive and nourish a possible pregnancy. In the absence of a pregnancy, the corpus luteum collapses and disappears. Hence, each month that a woman ovulates, a small ovarian cyst is formed; this usually measures 1.5 to 2 centimeters. Subsequent to the release of the egg, this cyst or corpus luteum may collect a small amount of blood prior to its degeneration.

Now on to larger functional cysts… Prior to ovulation, the follicle may accumulate too much fluid and form a cyst that is greater than three centimeters. This can cause mid-cycle pain. After ovulation, a corpus luteum can bleed into itself and also enlarge, forming a hemorrhagic cyst. A woman may present to her physician with pain, or she may go in for a routine exam at which time an enlarged ovary or mass in the pelvis is detected. At this point, an ultrasound is usually done. Then comes the announcement: “you have an ovarian cyst.” And that’s where the concern (and unfortunately for many women, the panic) begins. (By the way, women who smoke have a two-fold increased risk of developing functional ovarian cysts compared to non-smoking women.)

So here is my reassuring gynecologic statement: Functional cysts rarely become larger than six centimeters and should resolve and dissolve after two to three cycles.

There are, of course, cysts that are not functional. They remain and continue to grow. Age is a factor for both symptoms and diagnosis. Blood-filled cysts in women of reproductive age may be due to endometriosis. This disease affects at least 10 percent of women. Endometrial-like cells that are normally part of the lining of the uterus attach themselves or develop on the wrong surfaces in the pelvis (the ovaries, pelvic wall, bladder, or intestines) and respond to hormonal cycling by expanding, bleeding, causing irritation and the formation of scar tissue. They can also collect to form a blood-filled cyst on the ovary (an endometrioma). Although this type of cyst can become quite large, the pain caused by endometriosis is not directly related to size of the lesions. Small implants of endometrial cells scattered in the pelvis (and not felt during exam or seen on ultrasound) may actually cause the worst pain.”

Calcium-d-Glucarate (CDG) is a natural substance produced by all mammals, including humans. Small amounts are also found in fruits and vegetables. Early humans were able to get enough calcium-d-glucarate from their own production since they ate relatively low amounts of toxins and lived in a clean environment. As toxin exposure has increased, humans need more calcium-d-glucarate to excrete the extra toxins.

There is no *technical* deficiency of calcium-d-glucarate because it is not essential. However, humans produce small amounts, so it’s easy to develop low levels. Low levels of CDG are correlated with higher levels of beta-glucuronidase. Elevated beta-glucuronidase is a risk factor for cancer, especially hormone related cancers like breast, prostate, and colon cancer.

Here are four reasons calcium-d-glucarate is a seriously useful supplement.

1. Cancer Prevention

Toxins cause mutations in DNA which leads to cancer. Along with retinoids, CDG reduces breast cancer in rats by 70 percent.

“…increases detoxification of carcinogens and tumor promoters/progressors by inhibiting beta-glucuronidase and preventing hydrolysis of their glucuronides”

Calcium-d-glucarate increased toxin release and flushed out compounds that promote cancer. In rats with colon cancer, calcium-d-glucarate caused a sixty percent drop in tumor incidence. CDG also reduced the number of times cancer cells multiplied.

One of the reasons smokers develop lung cancer is believed to be low levels of D-glucaric acid. Smokers have 29 percent less d-glucaric acid than healthy people. Another study in rats showed that calcium-d-glucarate decreased skin cancer formation by 30 percent.

Calcium-d-glucarate is not guaranteed to prevent cancer, but everything helps.

2. Liver Detox

When calcium-d-glucarate is taken orally, it’s metabolized into glucaric acid. This is the active form of calcium-d-glucarate and the one produced naturally by the body. Glucaric acid is not available as a supplement by itself which is why you have to buy calcium-d-glucarate. Another benefit of CDG over glucaric acid is a longer detox period. CDG detoxes the liver for five hours instead of one.

Glucaric acid binds to toxins in the stomach which are then removed in the urine. Glucaric acid is also circulated around the body where it performs the same function – scavenging and releasing toxins. Removing toxins from the liver will increase liver function and promote a healthy metabolism. It will also allow your liver to flush out other toxins that would otherwise cause problems.

Bonus Feature: Dealing With High Protein Problems

Humans are meant to eat large amounts of protein and fat. Our livers and kidney efficiently process proteins and are able to remove harmful byproducts like ammonia. However, humans can only handle so many toxins. The human body is involved fending off xenoestrogens, air pollutants, chronic infections, and mycotoxins. This leaves very little room for dealing with the metabolites of protein. Our modern world is so polluted, that humans don’t always have the necessary means to fend off natural byproducts of a healthy metabolism. If you’re consuming a high protein diet (25-35 percent), you should consider supplementing with calcium-d-glucarate.

3. Removing Excess Estrogen

High levels of beta-glucuronide increase the number of estrogen receptors. This means estrogen that would have been excreted is now able to bind to more receptors. This can cause increased tissue growth, cancer, and even man boobs.

Estrogen dominance is one of the leading causes of infertility, cancer, and other health problems in women. One of the most common treatments for high estrogen levels in a drug called tamoxifen. Tamoxifen has numerous side effects including stroke, blood clots, uterine cancer, and cataracts.

New research is showing that CDG could be just as effective as Tamoxifen in treating estrogen dominance. CDG allows excess estrogen to be passed out of the body. A review in 2003 said calcium-d-glucarate could be as effective in preventing cancer as Tamoxifen.

In one study, calcium-d-glucarate was able to reduce the number of estrogen receptors by 48 percent. It’s also been shown to lower serum estrogen levels by 23 percent.

High estrogen is also a problem for men. Whether your a man or woman, calcium-d-glucarate will help maintain proper hormone balance.

4. Decrease LDL Cholesterol

Despite the numerous health effects of a paleo diet, one of the mysterious negative effects seems to be elevated LDL cholesterol. Paul Jaminet wrote an excellent post on this topic where numerous people said they experienced high LDL levels.

Not only is total cholesterol increased, but it’s LDL cholesterol. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as long as it’s type-A LDL (large, puffy, non-atherogenic). However, since being Bulletproof means doing everything possible to ensure optimal health, this is something that needs to be dealt with. High LDL isn’t necessarily the problem. It’s a sign of tissue damage or toxins which is the problem.

When cells are stressed or damaged, they need cholesterol for repair. As Dr. Jaminet also pointed out, high LDL levels are needed to repair damaged tissue.

The body sends LDL molecules to supply various parts of the body with cholesterol and fats. Limited blood flow is one form of stress. Calcium-d-glucarate is metabolized into glucaric salts. Glucaric salts reduces beta-glucuronidase production by gut bacteria. Reducing beta-glucuronidase enhances enterohepatic (liver) circulation which reduces cholesterol synthesis. This causes lower cholesterol levels.

In rats, CDG lowers total cholesterol by 12-15 percent, and LDL cholesterol by 30-35 percent. In humans, CDG lowers cholesterol by 12 percent, and LDL cholesterol by 28 percent. It can also lower triglycerides up to 43 percent.

CDG is not arbitrarily playing with cholesterol numbers like statins. It decreases stress on the liver which lowers your need for cholesterol, especially LDL cholesterol.

Dosage & Side Effects

A normal detox dose is 500-1000mg. People with cancer or high estrogen may benefit from taking as much as 3000-4500mg a day. It doesn’t really matter when you take it.

CDG can interact with alcohol and some drugs that act on the liver like statins. WebMD has the full list of possible interactions listed here.

By taking this one supplement, you can decrease your risk of cancer, remove toxins, ensure healthy liver function, and lower your LDL and total cholesterol. Calcium-d-glucarate is one of the safest, most effective biohacks available.

“D-Glucaric acid is a nontoxic, natural compound. One of its derivatives is the potent beta-glucuronidase inhibitor (1,4-GL). 1,4-GL increases the detoxification of carcinogens and tumor promoters by inhibiting beta-glucuronidase and preventing hydrolysis of their glucuronides. 1,4-GL and its precursors such as calcium D-glucarate may exert their anti-cancer action through alterations in steroidogenesis. This is accompanied by changes in the hormonal environment and the proliferative status of the target organ. Glucarates may directly detoxify any environmental agents responsible for cancer formation. It has been postulated that D-glucarate exerts some of its effects by equilibrium conversion to D-glucarolactone, a potent beta-glucuronidase inhibitor. Laboratory studies comparing calcium glucarate (CGT) with a known chemo-preventive agent, 4-HPR during Initiation Phase (I), Promotion Phase (P), and Initiation plus Promotion Phase (I+P) together showed that CGT reduced tumor multiplicity by 28 percent, 42 percent and 63 percent for the various stages respectively as compared to 4-HPR which reduce tumor multiplicity 63 percent, 34 percent and 63 percent respectively. The maximum effect occurred during the P and I+P phases. In particular, studies have showed that the chemo-preventive effect was synergistic when CGT was used together with 4-HPR.

Our protocol is ideal for normalizing an overactive
immune system, reducing systemic inflammation, and
minimizing (or eliminating) symptoms related to an
autoimmune disease. There are some additional caveats
with respect to our autoimmune guidelines, however, as
certain foods that are generally “safe” for many people
may provoke inflammation in those with an autoimmune
disease. Since your margin of error is that much smaller,
you may want to consider removing these additional
items from your daily diet.Eggs (whole eggs and egg whites): Egg whites
contain proteins that can adversely stimulate the
immune system—a contributing factor in
autoimmune diseases. We recommend that those
suffering from autoimmune diseases avoid eggs for
at least ninety days, to evaluate sensitivity.Nightshades: Nightshades are a group of plants
that contain compounds that promote gut
irritability, inflammation, and joint pain or and
stiffness in sensitive individuals. Nightshades
include white potatoes, tomatoes, sweet and hot
peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, tamarios, pepinos,
and spices like cayenne, chili powder, curry
powder, paprika, pepper sauce, pimento, and
crushed red pepper flakes. We recommend
avoiding nightshades for at least ninety days, to
evaluate sensitivity.Dairy (including heavy cream, clarified
butter, and ghee): Milk solids (proteins), even
the trace amounts found in ghee, can be
problematic if you have an autoimmune disease.
For this reason, you should avoid all dairy
products during your Whole30, and potentially
indefinitely.Nuts and Seeds: Nuts and seeds contain
compounds that may be inflammatory in those
with an autoimmune condition. Consider other
sources of dietary fat per our recommendations.NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen
(Aleve), and Celebrex disrupt the lining of the gut,
leading to intestinal permeability, a contributing
factor in autoimmune disease. For pain relief,
Tylenol (which is not an NSAID) is a better
choice—or ask your doctor about other paincontrol
strategies.